04.07.2024

JCB’s new 360s

At the recent Hillhead quarry show in the UK JCB unveiled a new 360 degree telehandler, the 26 metre/ 5,800kg 558-260R PRO, while a 21 metre version, the 558-210R PRO, will also be available. They replace the company’s 555 series launched in June 2019- its first entrance into the 360 degree market.

The new machine includes more capacity, new styling and improved cab comfort. Power comes from a Stage V JCB Dieselmax diesel, driving a Bosch Rexroth two speed hydrostatic transmission, delivering a top road speed of 40kph. As in the original models the machines feature individually configurable X type outriggers with one touch set up and stowage eight degrees of chassis levelling either side of horizontal. Total weights are similar to the units they replace at 17,960kg and 19,400kg respectively.

The new cab includes a heated air suspension seat, standard air conditioning and an upgraded display screen, as well as a ‘Safety Pack’ with side and rear cameras and a white noise reversing alarm.

The units come with a ‘Clearview’ carriage with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) attachment recognition aid for easy attachment changes. They include standard forks, a 5.5-tonne winch, a 5,500kg carriage mounted hook and a 2,000kg capacity two metre jib with winch, and a 5,500kg capacity reduced height jib. A 2.4 x 4.4 metre integrated work platform with 1,000kg platform capacity is also available which can be used a four metre extension, which reduces the platform capacity to 400kg. A wide range of buckets and a fork rotator can also be specified.

Other new exhibits at the event included:

Sany’s new 18 metre,4,000kg European specification, low boom STH1840 telehandler.

Wacker Neuson’s new 4.3 metre/1,210kg TH412e compact all electric telehandler, which was announced in September last year.

(The Wacker Neuson
Kubota’s 4.8 metre/1,500kg KTH4815-2 telehandler built by Tobroco-Giant in The Netherlands and powered by Kubota.

Other telehandler manufacturers attending the event, included Bobcat, Dieci and Merlo.

Vertikal Comment

This is an interesting development from JCB, choosing a fairly quiet launch of these new models, which in the surface appear to be simple upgrades of its original models, rather than being more radical or extending its 360 degree product line. One issue is that JCB never really believed that the market for these machines would ever be much more than niche, and as such for many years it chose to leave it to others.

However, the market has continued to grow, and has been shaken up in recent years by the entry and success of Magni, which has helped expand the market sector beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. As a result, JCB dealers in some areas were offering 360 degree models from Magni or others, in order to prevent their customers from building relationships with Manitou, Merlo or Dieci etc…
The big question now is … Is JCB’s heart and soul finally in this market ? Is it a true believer?
It looks from here as though the jury is out on the issue.

But let’s see how these new models are received and how it all develops.